I suppose you have read something of Gough’s lecture in our Hallaquah Times.5 It was not as much of a temperance lecture as I expected. Yes, it has done some awful wrongs (whiskey has) to the Indian. About 15 or 20 years ago, most all of the Wyandots (my tribe) who lived in Kansas were very wealthy, then they began to drink, and quite a number almost ruined themselves thereby. But now there are but very few men of our tribe who drink and they are those of the lowest class. I have never known the women to drink, and I guess but few ever did.
I’ve found out that after I’d been here a day, the first of last term, whenever a student came, the first thing they sought was the Indian girl. Some of the girls came and asked me where she was, and seemed to be surprised when I told them that I was the Indian girl. That shows that they saw me different from what they expected. So many that know nothing of Indians can’t think of them in any other way, than being savages, uncivilized, and anything but the right thing.
I received a letter from home which stated that they were having glorious meetings, and many have joined including myself. I did so by sending my name; and I ask your prayers that I may be ever faithful. Ethel is well and will send her love with mine to you. Do you know Huldah Bonwill’s address?6 I would very much like to know that I may write to her. I will close hoping when this reaches you it will find you well, as it leaves me at present. As ever your little friend,
Arizona Jackson7
Samuel Townsend (Pawnee)
Samuel Townsend, who attended Carlisle from 1879 through the late 1880s, was often represented in print as an educated Indian for his participation in performances designed to raise funds for the school. For example, an 1887 New York Times article titled “Educated Indians. The Carlisle School’s Way of Solving the Indian Problem,” mentions the original speech on “Work a Civilizer” that Townsend delivered before an audience at the Academy of Music in New York City. Besides delivering speeches at such events, Townsend was considered an exemplar of the vocational work being done at the school.
While at Carlisle, Townsend was trained in the school’s printing office. He printed the school’s publications and was the first editor of the School News, the only student-edited newspaper printed at Carlisle. A four-page, two-column monthly, the School News was printed and edited by students and was intended to showcase the progress they were making in the vocation of printing and in learning English. Townsend’s apprenticeship in Carlisle’s print shop afforded him the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of publishing. His experience printing and editing the School News prepared him for his career as a printer for the Chippeway Herald at the White Earth Boarding School in Minnesota and later as the night foreman for the Daily Oklahoma State Capital. (“Educated Indians” 5; Littlefield and Parins, American Indian 101, 317, 320, 335–37)
Letter by an Apprentice, 1880
This is a very pleasant morning; the sun is shining very bright.
In this school there are many different tribes going to school. Some of these boys are learning to read and write very fast. And another thing they are learning they can make a speech in the chapel.
I am learning how to print papers. Every morning and evening I go there to the printing office and work a little and when the school bell rings I go to school. I am both trying to read and write well. I can set one stick full in a day. I like the trade I am learning.
[A] few days ago Sioux chiefs were here to see their children at Carlisle School. They were very glad to see them, and were glad to see so many different tribes.8
Luther Standing Bear (Oglala Sioux)
Luther Standing Bear (1868–1939), who originally bore the name Ota K’te, meaning “Plenty Kill,” was born in South Dakota. He was one of the first pupils to enter Carlisle in 1879. While there he learned the tinner’s trade. He left Carlisle in 1885 and lived at or near the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations, working as clerk, teacher, rancher, and lay minister. He joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show in 1902. In 1905 he was chosen chief of the Oglala Sioux. He became an Indian actor with the Thomas Ince Studio in Hollywood in 1912 and appeared in several silent films and grade-B Westerns.
He launched his literary career in the late 1920s, publishing four books in six years: My People the Sioux (1928), My Indian Boyhood (1931), Land of the Spotted Eagle (1933), and Stories of the Sioux (1934). His earlier writings, including the two letters he published in the School News reprinted here, reflect his embrace of the assimilationist teachings of Carlisle. His later works, especially his 1931 essay “The Tragedy of the Sioux,” take a far more critical view of government boarding schools such as Carlisle, which he considered to be “a curse and a blight” for Indians. (Hale, “Acceptance,” 25–41; Littlefield and Parins, Biobibliography: Supplement, 288; Peyer, American Indian Nonfiction, 399–400; blight quote from Standing Bear, Land of the Spotted Eagle, 268)
Letter on Baltimore, 1881
Luther Standing Bear gives us something about his visit to Baltimore.9
I have something to say about Baltimore. I went there February 3rd. Great many people in Baltimore, because it is a big city. Now I will tell you what I did and saw. It is very beautiful in Baltimore, so I like to speak and play in the church.
I think those people like Indians because when our speaking was all done, I shake hands with white men and women and boys and girls. Some men said, “O, you can play. How long in Carlisle? How old are you? What is your name? Can you work?” And some boys and girls said, “I want to be your friend. Can you speak English?” I said no. “O, you can I guess.” But I speak to them nothing. Now I am sorry for just the same as my home.
I like what we had to eat and sleep and play in piano. When I am very glad I saw the Mayor of Baltimore. He is the head man in Baltimore. Then I think he likes Indians that is the reason I was very happy to shake hand with him and I was very glad I saw him. He is very kind and nice and big house and very beautiful stone house. I like to saw it always I remember the beautiful large house he let us all see. And when I am going in the cars it was about 100 miles. Now then I will try talk to you about Indian boys and girls. You must let us try hard everything. You must not play in the school. You must not talk bad at the teachers. Always you can be good boys and girls. Now always let us try to speak English and work and write and be good and be right and let us do right everything that is best way and Capt. Pratt what he says. We must hear and do it and me too. Now I will try to do all he says.10
Letter to Father, 1882
Indian Training School, Carlisle,
March 31st, 1882.
Dear Father Standing Bear11:—
Day before yesterday one of the Sioux boys died.12 His name is Alvan. He was a good boy always. So we were very glad for him. Because he is better now than he was on Earth. I think you may be don’t know what I mean. I mean he has gone in heaven. Because he was a good boy everywhere. I hope you will understand exactly what I mean, and you should think that way. I want you must give up Indian way. I know you have give it up a little. But I want you to do more than that and I told you so before this. But I will say it again you must believe God, obey him and pray to Him. He will help you in the right path and He will give you what you want if you ask Him. Dear father I know it is very hard for you to do that out there. But you can try to think that way. You must try day after day until you can do it. Then you will be always happy. Now I shall say a few words about what we have done here. We are trying to speak only English nothing talk Sioux.13 But English. I have tried. But I could not do it at first. But I tried hard every day. So now I have found out how to speak only English. I have been speaking only English about 14 weeks now I have not said any Indian words at all. So I wish you will try to do like that after while you will go forward in which is no sorrow and no trouble. You could not do nothing if you don’t believe me what I told you in this letter. So I wish dear father you must turn round and try to walk in the right way. Now dear father I would like to know if you have that store. Do you keep it yet or not? I will
help you when I go back home. That is all I have to say.
Good-bye from your son.14
Editorials
Ida Johnson (Wyandot?), Arizona Jackson (Wyandot), and Lula Walker (Wyandot)
Ida Johnson edited the Halaquah Times, the publication of the literary society at the Seneca Indian School in the early 1870s. She was assisted by her associate Julia Robitaille (Wyandot). Only two undated handwritten issues are known to exist. Johnson was also the first “editress” of the Hallaquah. She attended Earlham College in 1883 and later became a teacher in the Indian Service.
Arizona Jackson and Lula Walker founded the Hallaquah with Ida Johnson and were associate editors for the first three issues; all three young women assumed the editorship in the March–April 1880 issue. A brief profile of Arizona Jackson is in the Letters section of this book. Although there is little biographical information known about Lula Walker, I do know that she was born in Kansas and was an older sister of Bertrand N. O. Walker. (Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center; Earlham College Bulletin, August 1916, 93; Littlefield and Parins, American Indian, 143–45)
Hallaquah Editorial, December 1879
We desire and intend that the Hallaquah shall represent the spirit of our school, and always speak in behalf of its interest. Supported directly by the Hallaquah Society, it yet is intended to be a true exponent of the Seneca, Shawnee and Wyandotte Industrial Boarding School, and a news letter to the neighboring people as well as for the pupils.
We do not aspire after “literary honors,” but we expect—“to shine in our corner,—you, in yours.” Interesting extracts from letters relating to our, and other Mission work will be inserted at different times. News relating to the different Missions and neighborhood will be the prime feature of this paper, and any “locals” relating to the same will be gratefully received and acknowledged.
Everything in “getting out” a paper is new to us. We never before attempted to write an editorial for printed paper or to set up a line of type, and we never before expected to make so much “pi” in so short a time and do it so easily.
We pray you—“Don’t view us with a critic’s eye but pass our imperfections by.”
Hallaquah Editorial, January 1880
We are very much encouraged by the interest manifested in our little paper, by our friends far and near. Our exchange list is headed by the Olathe Gazette; and we have read in other papers the kind words with which it has been received. So much encouraged are we that we are induced to publish another number, hoping it will meet with as much favor if not more, than the first issue.
We publish a written number every Thursday evening. A portion of which is read at intervals, during the exercises of the literary society, and is found to be one of the best means of securing and maintaining an interest among the pupils and those who attend from the outside.
Hallaquah Editorial, February 1880
With the Matrons’ help we have set up all the type for this issue and we now hope to be able before long to do all the work ourselves. News-paper making isn’t play, and then it is not at all pleasant after we have done the best we can and the type are all distributed to find someone who tells us, “Why didn’t you do this way, or that way it would have been so much better.”
But then we have some very good friends who have told us that the last paper was better than the first one and that shall help us to try to do our best on this one.
Send us a few subscriptions; we want to buy some new type, rules, ink, and paper.
Hallaquah Editorial, March–April 1880
Our little “STAR” is still shining in its corner as bright as ever though it was a little late making its appearance before the public this month. The reason it is so late is that two of the Editors were absent; also we were late getting moved into our new Office; and now we are moved a little further from the Matron we will have more of the work to do ourselves, which of course will do us more good than harm: we are getting along so well without very much help this month that we expect to try to do all of the work alone for the next issue.
Hallaquah Editorial, May 1880
After this issue of the Hallaquah, there will be but one more number of this volume. We had thought that every number we had published, that the next one would be easier, but each time we find new difficulties to overcome and as two of the Editors are away this time, there is more work for one to do than usual, and that is somewhat mixed up with tonic powders, quinine, and about fifty girls to look after.
Lucy Grey (Seneca), Arizona Jackson (Wyandot), and Bertrand N. O. Walker (Wyandot)
The January 1881 issue of the Hallaquah announced two new members of the staff: Lucy Grey and Bertie Walker. Lucy Grey (ca. 1864–1881) was born in Kansas, lived with her uncle’s family in Oklahoma, and was adopted by the Senecas. She entered the Seneca Indian School in March 1880.
Bertrand N. O. Walker (ca. 1870–1927), or Bertie as he was known in school, was born in Kansas, the youngest of eight children. When he was a child he moved with his family from Kansas to Indian Territory. He attended the Seneca Indian School and a public school in Missouri. He later taught for ten years in federal boarding schools in California and Arizona and at the Seneca Indian School.
Walker’s literary ambition stirred in him at an early age. When he was just eleven years old he became an editor of the Hallaquah. He later aspired to be a poet and published the majority of his poetry under his Wyandot name Hen-toh in the Chilocco Indian School’s Indian School Journal. Several of his poems have been reprinted in Robert Dale Parker’s collection of American Indian poetry, Changing Is Not Vanishing (2011). Besides poetry, Walker published animal stories in Tales of the Bark Lodges in 1919. He also published a collection of poetry, Yon-Doo-Shah-We-Ah (Nubbins), in 1924. (Hallaquah, August–November 1881; Littlefield and Parins, Biobibliography: Supplement, 298–99; Littlefield and Parins, “Introduction,” vii–xvi; Walker, “A Personal Sketch,” 89–93)
Hallaquah Editorial, January 1881
In this issue we do not propose to offer any apologies, nor make any promises; and we do not want any statement of facts which we may make, regarded in the light of either. We are late again this month: everybody is, under similar circumstances. It’s the way to be, when you can’t help it. Any fears that may have been entertained by our patrons that the amount of their subscription was likely to prove, at least an unprofitable investment, if not an entire loss, have cast their shadows in our minds nearly a month ago, but we are giving you a fair dividend in the Jan. number, and dare to expect not only a renewal but at least one “new name” with each. A vacancy on the “Staff” caused by the absence and resignation of one of our number, is filled, you will notice by “One of the Boys.”1 In this connection we are free to announce, that we are indulging in “Great Expectations” and venture to hope you will not be disappointed.
Hallaquah Editorial, February 1881
Much of the time that would have been employed in printing this No. of the paper, has been occupied in attending the meetings which have been held at the Mission during the past two weeks. We are glad to be able to offer our subscribers as good an excuse as this is, for the delay this month.
Hallaquah Editorial, March 1881
We commenced setting up the type for this month’s paper, much sooner than we ever did before, and we expect to get it out in better time, and with less hurry, and trouble, than usual. We have had a much larger number of contributions to select from than heretofore. We are encouraged by the 15 new names on our subscription list, handed in by our friends in this Agency. And we are yet hopeful of the 400 we have asked for in our letters to friends in the States, but one of which has been heard from yet.
Hallaquah Editorial, April 1881
While we were at home on a visit the last of March, some one very kindly cleaned up our office and rearranged all of the furniture: adding one entirely new large case of type and eight small ones, in a serviceable if not beautiful cabinet; veneer and varnish is all that
is needed to make it elegant. And therefore for all of this we return our thanks to them for their kindness. We confess to some curiosity as to how we are going to appear in our new dress; of course we don’t expect that we shall use our new type to the best advantage the first time, but we shall profit by experience.
Hallaquah Editorial, May 1881
Every attempt to write the few lines for this particular part of the paper seems more difficult than the last one, and we don’t know why; wonder if it is this way with every one who tries to write Editorials. We are thankful to the several friends who have sent us lists of new subscribers this month. We shall print nearly 400 copies of this number. One more paper will close our labor for this session, after which the little Star will have to be kept shining by other hands and brains than ours.
Hallaquah Editorial, August, September, October, and November 1881
During the temporary suspension of our paper we have had considerable malarial sickness in the school, and November will long be remembered for its epidemic of pneumonia which prostrated 13 of our number and took from us our beloved colleague, schoolmate, and sister, Lucy Grey.2 She was sprightly, lovable. She was dignified, earnest. She was an Indian school-girl, editor, [and] a lover of the Lord Jesus. We miss dear Lucy, and our loss in her death is immeasurable. Silence is more fitting than our words. See a just tribute to her worth by our matron in another part of the paper.3
Recovering Native American Writings in the Boarding School Press Page 5